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ugly, indeed.”
    Sebastian cast a dark glower at his friend. It had been a selfish mistake to allow Dawson to play. The man had too much integrity and common sense. Sebastian had wanted the security of having an ally at his back, but he had miscalculated badly. He had not told Dawson he intended to draw the earl into a duel, because he knew his friend would object to such a blatant act.
    But he had reasoned that Dawson would take his side if something did occur. Integrity was so damn inconvenient! Sebastian tensed, the blood pumping furiously through his veins. Friend or no, he would not allow anyone to deny him his revenge.
    “Either stand with me or stand aside,” Sebastian said forcefully.
    Dawson’s head jerked back in surprise, his eyes filling with a curious mixture of confusion and hurt. “I swear, Benton, if I didn’t know you better I’d think you were trying to provoke Hetfield into a duel.”
    Sebastian shrugged off that all too true comment and faced Lord Faber and Sir Charles. The two glanced uneasily around the card room. “Perhaps it would be best to let the matter go,” Sir Charles suggested.
    Struggling, Sebastian dredged up what little restraint he possessed. “I believe that question should be posed to Hetfield. ‘Tis his honor that has been tainted.”
    All eyes turned expectantly to the older man. Panic lit his face, but he regained his composure. Sebastian saw the fine sheen of sweat on the earl’s face. It was going to be very difficult for him to simply walk away at this stage. His honesty, and honor, had been called into question. He would have to accept the challenge to save both.
I’ve got you now, you damn bastard.
    “I still insist that no cheating occurred, but if there was something amiss with the cards, it must have been my error,” Dawson interjected. “After all, I dealt the cards. Any blame must fall on me, not Hetfield.”
    “But you barely won any of the hands,” Lord Faber insisted. “Unless you and Hetfield are in this scheme together?”
    “Don’t be an idiot,” Sebastian said with a sneer.“Dawson is the most honest, honorable gentleman I know. He would never cheat.”
    The response was instinctive. Sebastian did not even realize he had uttered the words until he saw the relief on the earl’s face.
Shit.
    “Your confidence in me is most humbling, Benton. Thank you.” Though he spoke congenially, Dawson’s brow was furrowed as if he were trying to decipher a perplexing puzzle.
    “All right then,” Lord Faber said. “We all agree the accusation has no validity.”
    “The matter is closed.” The earl’s voice was urgent and curt. “We shall speak of it no more.”
    Sebastian barely heard the muttering of agreement from Sir Charles and Lord Faber. The earl turned and strode away.
No!
Sebastian felt the bile rise in his throat as he stared after Hetfield knowing he was powerless to stop him. A coldness welled up inside him, so strong and deep it stole his voice.
    How had this happened? He had been so close, so near. It had all been going according to plan. That is, until Dawson stuck his nose into the mix. ‘Twas like having a fish on the line, tugging and fighting. Inch by inch, yard by yard, reeling the prize closer, closer, and then, just as the fish was pulled from the water, it slipped from its hook and swam to safety.
    Beside him, Sebastian heard Dawson exhale with relief. At the sound, his control snapped. A primitive part of Sebastian’s brain shouted at him to pummel his friend until Dawson’s face was bruised. If he could not taste the earl’s blood, the blood he craved, he would settle for whoever blocked his path.
    Fearing he would succumb to his rage, Sebastianrudely turned away. Shoving aside a dandy standing in the doorway, he practically ran from the room. With each angry step he couldn’t stop thinking that if Dawson had not intervened and smoothed it all over, this dilemma would have finally had a resolution.
    Come morning he would